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Defenders Promises Continued Compensation

Idaho Wolf Crosses Into Oregon

(02/19/1999) - Defenders of Wildlife today hailed the news that a female
wolf has wandered into Oregon from neighboring Idaho as a great step in wolf
recovery in the United States. The wolf, B-45, is the first wolf sighted in
Oregon since 1927. She came from the area into which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS) reintroduced wolves in 1995 and 1996. Defenders also reaffirmed
its commitment to its $100,000 Wolf Compensation Trust.

In 1987, Defenders of Wildlife created a $100,000 fund to
compensate ranchers for all verified livestock losses to wolves. Since 1987,
Defenders has paid more than $70,000 to approximately 70 ranchers. In 1997, the
fund became the Defenders of Wildlife Wolf Compensation Trust.

"This is incredibly encouraging news," said Defenders
President Rodger Schlickeisen. "That she has crossed into Oregon could mark the
beginning of an increased area for wolf recovery. She may not find what she's
looking for, and she could easily come right back into Idaho. But developments
show that wolf reintroduction is working, and this could be the start of
something exciting."

B-45 is a federally protected endangered gray wolf that is the
offspring of two wolves transplanted from British Columbia. She was part of the
Jureano Mountains Pack. B-45 wears a radio collar, which makes it easy to track
her movements daily.

"As the wolf recovery area starts to spread out, it is
important to know that Defenders will keep its commitment financially to
compensate ranchers for losses due to wolf kills," said Schlickeisen. "Wolf
predation on livestock is rare, but when it does happen, Defenders will step up
to the plate and keep our promise, no matter where the Yellowstone or central
Idaho wolves roam."

Currently, B-45 is in the headwaters of the John Day drainage.
She apparently wandered there looking for a mate. With her chance of finding a
mate in Oregon minimal and not belonging to a pack, B-45's has an uncertain
future. However, FWS officials, Oregon Fish and Wildlife biologists, and
representatives of the Nez Perce tribe (which is working to reestablish wolf
populations in Idaho on behalf of FWS) are keeping tabs on the wolf and making
sure that she continues to remain trouble-free.

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Contact(s):

Cat Lazaroff, (202) 772-3270

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